| Director | Alfred Hitchcock |
|---|---|
| Genre | black comedy film, comedy film, comedy thriller, crime drama film, crime film, crime thriller film, drama film, film based on a novel, horror film, mystery film, psychological drama film, psychological horror film, psychological thriller film, thriller film |
| Runtime | 120 min |
| Country | United States |
| Budget | $4.5 million |
| Box office | $13 million |
Fake psychic Blanche Tyler and her boyfriend, George Lumley, attempt to locate the nephew of wealthy, guilt-ridden, elderly Julia Rainbird. Julia's deceased sister gave the baby boy up for adoption, but Julia now wants to make him her heir and will pay Blanche $10,000 to find him. Julia knows almost nothing about the infant. During his investigation George discovers that the boy was given the name Edward Shoebridge and is thought to have died while still young. However, George tracks down a man, Joseph Maloney, who paid for Edward's tombstone years after his supposed death, and discovers the grave is empty. George and Blanche bicker frequently.
Meanwhile, Arthur Adamson and his live-in girlfriend Fran kidnap millionaires and dignitaries, confining them in a secure room in the cellar of their home, and return them in exchange for ransoms in the form of valuable diamonds. Arthur conceals the latest diamond "where everyone can see it," within a crystal chandelier hanging above the home's main staircase.
When Arthur learns that George is investigating him, he enlists Maloney (the two had murdered Arthur's adoptive parents long ago) to kill Blanche and George. Maloney contacts Blanche and George, telling them to meet him at a café on a mountain road. There, he cuts the brakeline of Blanche's car, but they manage to survive their dangerous high-speed descent. Maloney then tries to run them over, but dies in a fiery explosion when he swerves to avoid an oncoming car and drives over the edge.
At Maloney's funeral, his wife tearfully confesses, under pressure of George's questioning, that Shoebridge's name is now Arthur Adamson. George must go to work driving his taxi for an evening shift, so Blanche tracks down various A. Adamsons in San Francisco, eventually reaching the jewelry store that Arthur Adamson owns as it closes for the day. Arthur's assistant Mrs. Clay offers to let Blanche leave a note. Blanche tricks Mrs. Clay into giving her Arthur's home address.
Arthur and Fran are bundling their latest kidnap victim, Bishop Wood, into their car when Blanche rings their doorbell. They attempt to drive out of their garage, but Blanche's car blocks their way. Blanche tells Arthur that his aunt wants to make him her heir. Then Blanche sees the unconscious bishop, and she is abducted by the couple. Arthur drugs her and leaves her in the cellar, planning to deal with her after they exchange the bishop for ransom.
Searching for Blanche, George finds her car outside Arthur and Fran's house. When no one answers the door, he breaks in and searches for her. He finds her handbag with blood stains on it and indications of a struggle. When Arthur and Fran return home, George hides upstairs. He overhears Arthur telling Fran about his plan to kill Blanche and make her death seem like a suicide. George manages to talk to Blanche, who is faking unconsciousness in the cellar's hidden room (left open by Arthur when he went to check on her). Arthur and Fran enter to carry Blanche out to the car, but she knocks them down and runs out, and George locks the kidnappers in.
Blanche then goes into what appears to be a genuine trance. She walks out of the basement, climbs halfway up the main staircase, stops, and points at the huge diamond hidden in the chandelier. Blanche then "wakes" and asks George what she is doing there. He excitedly tells her that she is indeed a real psychic. He calls the police to collect the reward for capturing the kidnappers and finding the jewels. A smiling Blanche winks at the camera.